Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing
Research has demonstrated that involvement with mainstream performing arts, such as music and dance, can boost wellbeing. This article extends this work by reviewing little-known research on whether learning magic tricks can have an equally beneficial effect. We first present an historic overview of...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2018-12-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/6081.pdf |
| _version_ | 1827607727973597184 |
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| author | Richard Wiseman Caroline Watt |
| author_facet | Richard Wiseman Caroline Watt |
| author_sort | Richard Wiseman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research has demonstrated that involvement with mainstream performing arts, such as music and dance, can boost wellbeing. This article extends this work by reviewing little-known research on whether learning magic tricks can have an equally beneficial effect. We first present an historic overview of several magic-based interventions created by magicians, psychologists and occupational therapists. We then identify the potential benefits of such interventions, and review studies that have attempted to systematically assess these interventions. The studies have mostly revealed beneficial outcomes, but much of the work is of poor methodological quality (involving small numbers of participants and no control group), and has tended to focus on clinical populations. Finally, we present guidelines for future research in the area, emphasizing the need for more systematic and better-controlled studies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:00:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a3154e7fab774e98b62b9090298becfc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:00:19Z |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-a3154e7fab774e98b62b9090298becfc2023-12-03T09:55:32ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592018-12-016e608110.7717/peerj.6081Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeingRichard Wiseman0Caroline Watt1Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United KingdomPsychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomResearch has demonstrated that involvement with mainstream performing arts, such as music and dance, can boost wellbeing. This article extends this work by reviewing little-known research on whether learning magic tricks can have an equally beneficial effect. We first present an historic overview of several magic-based interventions created by magicians, psychologists and occupational therapists. We then identify the potential benefits of such interventions, and review studies that have attempted to systematically assess these interventions. The studies have mostly revealed beneficial outcomes, but much of the work is of poor methodological quality (involving small numbers of participants and no control group), and has tended to focus on clinical populations. Finally, we present guidelines for future research in the area, emphasizing the need for more systematic and better-controlled studies.https://peerj.com/articles/6081.pdfPsychologyOccupational therapyMagic tricksHealthInterventionPerforming arts |
| spellingShingle | Richard Wiseman Caroline Watt Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing PeerJ Psychology Occupational therapy Magic tricks Health Intervention Performing arts |
| title | Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing |
| title_full | Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing |
| title_fullStr | Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing |
| title_short | Achieving the impossible: a review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing |
| title_sort | achieving the impossible a review of magic based interventions and their effects on wellbeing |
| topic | Psychology Occupational therapy Magic tricks Health Intervention Performing arts |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/6081.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT richardwiseman achievingtheimpossibleareviewofmagicbasedinterventionsandtheireffectsonwellbeing AT carolinewatt achievingtheimpossibleareviewofmagicbasedinterventionsandtheireffectsonwellbeing |